Dalit boy elopes Muslim girl; kin tied to tree, thrashed

Jun 29 2017 : The Times of India (Chennai) Dalit boy elopes with girl; kin tied to tree, thrashed Hubballi: TNN   Two dalit men were tied to a tree and thrashed in Halagundakanal village in Vijayapura on June 25. The incident came to light on Wednesday when the victim filed a police complaint. Mareppa Harijan, 50, and his son Ramesh Harijan, 22, were tied to a tree as their kin Ningappa had eloped with a girl belonging to a minority community .Mareppa's youngest son Ambarish Harijan said that Ningappa was in love with a girl from from Neeralagi village.“They had eloped 20 days ago. We ap proached the girl's family members and requested them to send Ningappa home if they find him. However, seven members of the girl's family rushed to our village on June 25 and tied our father Mareppa to a tree and started assaulting him. When my brother Ra mesh objected, he too was tied to the tree and beaten,“ he said. Sources in the police department said though they rescued Mareppa and Ramesh on Sunday itself, both declined to file a complaint, saying they would resolve the issue themselves. Confirming it, SM Nyamannavar, CPI, Sindagi, said Mareppa filed a complaint on Wednesday . “The accused are Maibubsab Mujawar, 59, Ameensab Mujawar, 60, Shareef Mujawar, 16, Babu Mujawar, 21, Rafeek Mujawar, 23, Khadersab Mujawar, 22, and Allabaksh Mujawar, 33,“ he added. Villagers said it was a personal dispute between the two families but not a caste issue.